Crafting the Lunar Remastered Collection: The Story Behind Its Stellar Logo and Packaging

Today marks the exciting launch of the Lunar Remastered Collection for Xbox One, with full compatibility on Xbox Series X|S. To delve deeper into the creative process behind the collection’s striking new logo, I had the pleasure of speaking with Amy Nguyen, GungHo America’s Senior Graphic Designer. We explored her artistic influences, the design journey, and the nostalgic inspiration that shaped the final product.

Hey Amy, thanks for joining me! Can you share a bit about your design journey and some key projects you’ve worked on at GungHo?

Hi there! Absolutely, I’ve been lucky to work on diverse projects, ranging from creating assets for national tournaments to collaborating with iconic international IPs. My major milestone was leading the creative direction for the Grandia port to consoles in 2024.

What was going through your mind when you were tasked with revamping the Lunar logo?

Honestly, it was both thrilling and daunting. The Lunar logo is essential to the game’s identity, so I really wanted to do it justice. Initially, I crafted various iterations to find the right balance and after loads of feedback cycles, we finally nailed down the design.

Did you look at the original logos for guidance when creating the new one?

Definitely! I kick off every project with a deep dive into preliminary research. Knowing we were working on a remaster, I wanted to tap into the nostalgic essence of the original Lunar brand. My brainstorming included countless sketches where I played with numerous tweaks and shifts. Ultimately, the chosen design reflects Lunar’s iconic red paired with fresh gold accents, signaling the remastered game’s enhancements.

When you were testing out different logo designs, what inspired each version?

Preserving the nostalgic tone of Lunar’s original design, while also injecting a sense of the remaster, was my focus. Sketch variations were crucial for exploring multiple directions, from color tweaks—blending reds and blues from both Lunar games—to testing various accents. We added design elements like the dragon sword and ribbon from old logos, and even considered game motifs, like the blue star. The finalized logo is a fusion of these elements, capturing the best of tradition and renewal.

Can you explain what details stand out in the final logo design for you?

I really love the elongated tail of the ‘R’ in “Remastered,” echoing the ‘R’ from the original Lunar logo. For “Remastered Collection,” I exaggerated some serifs on letters like R, E, and N to enhance the design’s appeal.

You worked with original Lunar artist Toshiyuki Kubooka, who added two new key visuals. What did you think of his work, and how did it influence your packaging design?

Mr. Kubooka’s attention to detail is mesmerizing, especially with the darker and more cohesive artwork. His key visuals fit beautifully with the packaging, requiring only minor adjustments to align everything appropriately.

Your approach to designing the back cover was quite flexible. How did you decide what to include and how to lay it out?

I really wanted to celebrate the pixel sprites because they offer so much character despite their simplicity. Adding game screenshots provided a sneak peek into the content. We maintained branding consistency by incorporating elements from the logo, such as the gold color and font. A gradient transition on the back helps separate yet unify the two games in the collection.

What’s your favorite part of the packaging design?

Collaborating closely with Mr. Kubooka and working under his artistic direction was incredibly rewarding. The whole process was a team effort, involving GungHo’s Marketing and Production teams, along with the original development team, Game Arts. It was a true collective effort that I hope everyone enjoys.

Lunar: Remastered Collection is available for purchase now on Xbox. Dive into the magical worlds of LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, two timeless JRPG sagas. Join Alex on his quest against the Magic Emperor and follow Hiro a thousand years later in a battle to save their world. With improved graphics, audio, and updated languages, this remastered edition brings the nostalgia of the ’90s back to life—better than you remember!